Page 69 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
I stood anyway. “If you want me to stay in the bed, you’ll have to chain me.”
He didn’t protest as I padded into the bathroom, shut the door, and turned the lock. Let him punish me for it later. Better yet, let him leave. A set of folded fatigues waited at the edge of the sink. Brand new toiletries filled a basket.
With the twist of a knob, water sprayed from the upper spout of the stall and heated rapidly. I stripped, trying not to notice the bruises, cuts, and smears of dried blood marring my skin. How much was mine, and how much was Shiloh’s?
I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth. As scalding water rained, I soaped up, rinsed off, and thought of my medic. He’d been such a wonderful person. So kind and supportive. Protective and dependable. And funny. His smile had lit the room.
Why hadn’t I kissed him while I’d had the chance? Now he was gone, and I’d never get to see him again. I hadn’t even told him about lemonade.
Maybe my heart wasn’t steel after all. Fresh tears trickled down my cheeks. I swiped at the droplets with rigid fingers. How dare Ember suggestCuredused me to kill the medic? She merely attempted to shift blame from herself. The infection had come from her, no doubt about it.
Although, shehadwarned me of a coming execution.
I flattened my hands against the stall wall and ducked my head under the water. Why warn me of her own plan? Unless she had planned to kill him and had issued the warning in order to sayTold you so.But why oversee his death at all? The outcome didn’t benefit her or the Soalians in any way. Did it?
Appendages beginning to prune, I switched off the water, dried, and dressed. A glance at my reflection in the steam-proof mirror above the sink revealed a bruised, ashen girl with red-rimmed eyes. A lady-in-training on her own, with zero allies.Trust no one. Get strong.
Nose in the air, I exited the bathroom. Cyrus sat at the foot of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his head bowed.
He flipped up his gaze and demanded, “Tell me everything, Arden.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” Currently, he was the one with answers, not me. “Shiloh gained access to my cell, where I was chained and vulnerable. You saw the results.”
Shame pulsed from Cyrus. “Medics are given unrestricted entry in case of emergencies.”
“A practice that endangers the people who rely on your protection.” Boiling cauldron. My nails cut into my palms. I pressed on. “I’m late for drills.”
He stiffened. “You’ll stay here until you are dismissed. I’ve been lenient with you and allowed certain liberties, and that was a mistake. You’ve forgotten that I outrank you. Today, you will remember protocol and act accordingly.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” I grated with a salute. I didn’t push to know why he’d allowed those “certain liberties.” I didn’t care. I just wanted to go.
A muscle jumped within his brand, a sure sign he neared the end of his patience. “Did Shiloh mention anything odd before he died? Or give you something?”
“No, sir.”
“Did he tell you what he meant byirrefutable truth?”
My breath caught. Cyrus had listened to a recording of my final conversation with the medic, and he wasn’t trying to hide it. “No, sir. But I can tell you an irrefutable truth of my own. Shiloh was happiness. He was a good guy. I really liked him. He patched my wounds, and I caused his.” My chin quivered, and hot tears welled again. I spun before my companion noticed. “The scale is forever unbalanced.”
Cyrus crossed the distance between us and settled his hands on my shoulders, his touch light. The heat of his body enveloped me, bringing with it his heady scent. “What happened isn’t your fault.” Even his voice proved a comfort, as soft as velvet.
In that moment, a part of me hated him. “I didn’t say it was, but either way, I’m not interested in your opinion. I’d like to go. Sir.”
He sighed and severed contact. “While Mykal is away, you’ll serve as my assistant.”
Oh, I would, would I? The threat of tears ended, and I whirled around. “You said you’d always give me a choice. Did you lie?”
“I did not. But I know you’re hurting and furious and counting on your training to help you set things right.”
“Things can never be set right.”
“Let me finish.” He stared me down, resolute. “I intend to train you myself, after hours. You’ll learn more with me on a one-to-one basis, in less time.”
I waited, silent, fuming.
“Speak,” he demanded.
“I’d rather learn with the rest of my team, sir.” The words burst from me.
